Easterby names Emerging Ireland side for final fixture of three-match series

RETURN: Ben O'Connor of Ireland in action against Pumas. Pic: Charle Lombard/Sportsfile

Head coach Simon Easterby has named his Emerging Ireland team to face the Cheetahs in the final game of the three-match series in Bloemfontein on Wednesday evening (kick off 6pm Irish time, 7pm local time).

Leinster’s James Culhane will lead the side as he forms a new back-row alongside Harry Sheridan and Sean Edogbo, who makes his first start of the tour having come on as a replacement in the 29-24 win over Western Force on Sunday afternoon. 

Former Ireland Under-20 captain Evan O’Connell locks down with Darragh Murray, who featured in the opening 36-24 victory over the Pumas, with Alex Usanov named in the front row alongside hooker Stephen Smyth and Jack Aungier.

In the backline, Sam Prendergast starts his third game of the tour at out-half and he will be partnered by Cormac Foley, who featured as a second half replacements against the Australian Super Rugby side last time out. 

Connacht’s Hugh Gavin forms a midfield partnership with Hugh Cooney, with Ulster’s Zac Ward named in the back tree alongside the returning Ben O’Connor at full-back and Andrew Osborne who moves to the right wing.

Munster loosehead prop George Hadden, who was called up to the squad last weekend, is set to make his first appearance after being named on the bench alongside Conor O’Tighearnaigh and Alex Soroka who started Sunday's win. 

Hadden’s provincial team-mate Danny Sheahan provides cover once more at hooker, while Scott Wilson and Charlie Tector are also named on the bench for the Toyota Stadium clash alongside out-half Jack Murphy.

Looking ahead to the game, Emerging Ireland boss Easterby said: “When we set out at the beginning of our pre-camp in Dublin, we knew about the challenge of facing three sides in a week and we knew that every player in the group would have the opportunity to play his part. 

"To a man each player has given his all so far and we are aiming to finish off the series with another positive performance on Wednesday.

"The Cheetahs are a fiercely proud and strong side and it should be a lively game with a vocal home support behind them. It has been a fruitful past few weeks to date and we have learned a lot."

He added: "While our performances haven’t been perfect, the players have embraced the challenge and played some brilliant rugby at times. The action has come thick and fast and we know that we have to be clinical in our execution.

"We will need to go up another level on Wednesday to get the performance we want and hopefully finish the tour on a high.”

Emerging Ireland (v Cheetahs): B. O’Connor; A. Osborne, H. Cooney, H. Gavin, Z. Ward; S. Prendergast, C. Foley; A. Usanov, S. Smyth, J. Aungier; E. O’Connell, D. Murray; H. Sheridan, S. Edogbo, J. Culhane. 

Replacements: D. Sheahan, G. Hadden, S. Wilson, C. O’Tighearnaigh, A. Soroka, M. Devine, J. Murphy, C. Tector.